Virginia Trucking Accident Stats

These days the strong economy has resulted in an increase of commercial vehicles on the highways and roads of Virginia.

Virginia ranks in the top 14 states for the worst drivers in America.

Approximately, one of every 26 Virginia drivers was affected by an automobile accident in 2017.

This amounts to an accident every four minutes.

The Virginia Department of Transportation has employed numerous programs aimed at both reducing injuries and deaths from accidents.

Although large trucks are not responsible for most of the accidents on the road, wrecks involving large trucks are often more severe due to the significant difference in size between trucks and other vehicles.

The aftermath of trucking accidents can be life-altering, including brutal injuries and even death.

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

Driver error is the number one cause of all trucking accidents, including big rig crashes.

Careless driving, speeding, alcohol use, distractions, merging improperly into traffic, and failure to stop at traffic lights are the most significant causes of deaths from truck accidents.

Passengers of smaller vehicles face a much greater risk in truck crashes.

Out of the 45 fatal large truck crashes, in Virginia in 2017, only 12 truck drivers were killed.

Another leading cause of accidents is equipment failure.

Big trucks have many complex systems, which causes a greater potential for problems.

These problems can include tire blowouts, difficulties with steering, complications with trailer attachments, suspension breakdown, and malfunction of brakes.

Fatal Crashes Involving Trucks Have Increased

In Virginia, 843 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2017, which is a 10.8% increase from 2016.

There were 4,440 large trucks and buses involved in fatal crashes in 2016, a 2% increase from 2015.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes rose by 29% from 3,432 in 2009.

Additionally, deadly crashes involving large trucks are probable in rural areas and on highways.

Approximately 60% of all fatal accidents with large trucks were reported in country areas and 27 percent took place on highways.

Getting the Help, You Deserve

When accidents involving a truck or large vehicle occur, the injuries are often severe.

Victims typically need expensive medical care.

Additionally, often times victims are not able to work while recovering from their injuries.

Financial difficulties, as well as both physical and emotional pain, can make life problematic.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Virginia, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately.

Our experienced attorneys can assist in weighing the available options.

Victims may be entitled to take legal action to prove negligence and be compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs.

At the Law Office of Scott R. Barney, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to assist our clients in seeking the compensation they deserve.

Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no legal fee unless we recover compensation for your injuries.